A Single Red Rose for The POET

A Single Red Rose...

This day has brought its own perfection and I in the JOY of its offerings. As I was leaving my home to go to the Spring Valley High School, Spring Valley, NY, the sun was brilliant in a clear blue sky. I was to be received with honor as Poet Laureate, Orangetown, NY in recognition of Women's History Month. The program presented readings by faculty members of woman poets who have touched the lives of many through their ennobled words. 

I had the pleasure of reading two of my original poems, one written specifically for this occasion. The student reception did indeed gladden both heart and spirit. Such beautiful young souls in search, in exploration, in loving appreciation and expressed gratitude.

Post my reading and response to the questions posed, I was given a single red rose.  How beautifully symbolic ...

Women's History Month is an annual declared month worldwide that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. As Poet Laureate. Orangetown, New York, I am honored to Celebrate Woman Poets with a poetic dialogue befitting this occasion.

The POET

she awakens to the light

to the dawning of the day new

she hears the song bird song

feels the warmth of the sun

listens to the sounding wind

hears the echoes of loss and lament

feels the pain of despondency and despair

yet deeply she knows all is in resolve

for ever held she be in God's care

many a trial and many a challenge at hand

FAITH and TRUST be her guiding command

beyond a momentary confusion is the clarity of grace

this in resounding accord in heart she does place

the mission, the quest, this pulsing of heart

from love it be known, from love shan't it depart

the Passion ~ the Omnipresence ~ the Eternal ~ the Truth

this be her way

she the POET in blessings LIVES her day

a word by pen, its calling perceived

this the MUSE in soul conceived

upon the paper marks to bear her name

and she the POET expresses her claim

and she the POET expresses her claim.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Aries' Birth ~ BEING in the embrace of time

On the Eve of birth anew...

March be this Aries' birth
Winds echo spirit's call
Spring herald by the song bird
Waves of BEING in the embrace of time
Expressions of grace held line by line
And with palette and brush in hand and heart
This moment with God's blessings shan't depart
Creation's plea be it ever ever heard
In the gift of the NOW and the given WORD.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Aries'Birth, APOGEE Vibrational Art, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi

And so it is... SPRING... Green be the beckoning call...

Today in Tappan, New York the call of Spring is heard
In the warming sun and chirping song bird
Robins in flight and busy they be
Perched on barren branches of the towering tree
Blue jays in splendor with crest of blue
Herald this day of light and season new
Scampering squirrels by two in play run
Gathering, nesting, much to be done
Mounds of snow in a final melting away
Green be the beckoning call of Spring new this day.

Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York

Green, APOGEE Vibrational Art. ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, http://www.thesoundinglight.blogspot.com

March ~ Aries Month Of Birth...

The calling roar of wild winds
The bite of cold and frost
The gentle calm and warming sun

So much March this spirit mine

The wet driving falling rain
The delicate mist of the new morning
The birth of Spring

So much March this spirit mine 

The peeking green of daffodils
The promise of bloom yet to be
Winds of ever present change

So much March this spirit mine

The quiver of grass new
The brilliant light of the full moon
Aries in splendor known

So much March this spirit mine

Fire within each vision and quest
Mars in rule and command
Cardinal be the reign

So much March this spirit mine.


Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York 

LL Orionis: When Cosmic Winds Collide 
Credit: Hubble Heritage Team (AURA / STScI), C. R. O'Dell (Vanderbilt), NASA
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020313.html

The POET

Women's History Month is an annual declared month worldwide that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. I was asked, as Poet Laureate, to present at a High School Event celebrating Woman Poets, indeed an honored request. This written to befit the Celebration...

The POET

she awakens to the light

to the dawning of the day new

she hears the song bird song

feels the warmth of the sun

listens to the sounding wind

hears the echoes of loss and lament

feels the pain of despondency and despair

yet deeply she knows all is in resolve

for ever held she be in God's care

many a trial and many a challenge at hand

FAITH and TRUST be her guiding command

beyond a momentary confusion is the clarity of grace

this in resounding accord in heart she does place

the mission, the quest, this pulsing of heart

from love it be known, from love shan't it depart

the Passion ~ the Omnipresence ~ the Eternal ~ the Truth

this be her way

she the POET in blessings LIVES her day

a word by pen, its calling perceived

this the MUSE in soul conceived

upon the paper marks to bear her name

and she the POET expresses her claim

and she the POET expresses her claim.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

THE WORD in hymn, in artistry divine, in the glory of BEING. ~ Św. Jan Chrzciciel - St. John the Baptist - cz.1/3 - Hymn: Ut Queant Laxis

)

Blessed Be These Endowments

the pulsing heart

the soaring spirit

the held grace

the gift of expression

the hand that gives

the truth that reveals

this be THE WORD in PRESENCE known

THE WORD in hymn, in artistry divine, in the glory of BEING.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

~

1. Ut queant laxis resonáre fibris Mira gestórum fámuli tuórum, Solve pollúti lábii reátum, Sancte Joánnes. 

2. Núntius celso véniens Olýmpo Te patri magnum fore nascitúrum, Nomen, et vitae sériem geréndae Ordinae promit.

3. Ille promíssi dúbius supérni, Pérdidit promptae módulos loquélae: Sed reformásti genitus perémptae Organa vocis.

4. Ventris obstrúso récubans cubíli Sénseras Regem thálamo manéntem: Hinc parens nati méritis utérque Abdita pandit.

5. Sit decus Patri, genitaéque Proli et tibi, compare utriúsque virtus, Spíritus semper, Deus unus, omni Témporis aevo. Amen.

1. O for your spirit, holy John, to chasten Lips sin-polluted, fettered tongues to loosen; So by your children might your deeds of wonder Meetly be chanted.

2. Lo! a swift herald, from the skies descending, Bears to your father promise of your greatness; How he shall name you, what your future story, Duly revealing.

3. Scarcely believing message so transcendent, Him for a season power of speech forsaketh, Till, at your wondrous birth, again returneth, Voice to the voiceless.

4. You, in your mother's womb all darkly cradled, Knew your great Monarch, biding in His chamber, Whence the two parents, through their offspring's merits, Mysteries uttered.

5. Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten, And to the Spirit, equal power possessing, One God whose glory, through the lapse of ages, Ever resounding. Amen.

Activity Source: Roman Ritual, The, Complete Edition by Philip T. Weller, S.T.D., The Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee, WI, 1964

The Rose ~ Beauty, Truth, in its own reflection...

The Rose

Beauty, Truth, in its own reflection... 

Its bloom in beauty ever to be

roots, stem, thorns, petals, as ONE in grace I see

Its  truth of reflection I to behold

'tis the WORD in rapture by Creation told.

~

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus:

 "That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above,

 and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, 

to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing." 

~

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Photo: FB Post. The Rose in Reflection. 

Nana Khatiashvili, 03 2014.

The Sounding Light ~ Union Arts Center, Sparkill, New York

The Sounding Light ~ Union Arts Center, Sparkill, New York

Upon entry a sigh into a space
that speaks an enfolding embrace
Greeted by tidings of palette and word
that call to be seen, to be heard
This Sounding Light conceived
form, line, in splendor, in flow perceived
Hues, tones, gentle, passionate, stark
light held, light free, shadows of grace echo the dark
The poet, the artist, BE she in presence known
'tis the Sounding Light within heart, upon walls be shown.

~

The Sounding Light Exhibit at the Quincy Hall Gallery, The Union Arts Center, Sparkill, New York http://www.uacny.com/ features the artistry of Rose Marie Raccioppi, 17 large works of art, including original watercolors. In addition, a selection of over 30 fine art prints, limited editions, matted, signed, and ready for framing, 11 x 14, also on exhibit and available for purchase. 

Closing Reception: Exhibit and Sale: Saturday, March 15, 2014, 

from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM... ALL WELCOMED... do visit 

and join in the celebration of art, poetry, and community.

Here pictured are 4 of the 17 larger works, The Sounding Light, on exhibit. 

Rose Marie Raccioppi: http://www.thesoundinglight.blogspot.com/

Fires of SOUL... the Phoenix of BEING... Cancer No More... then and NOW...

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold...”
(1 Peter 1:7, NLT)


As I read these words this morning, time past, challenges met, perceived loss, all in thought was brought to this moment present. I was invited to present at an Expo event this past Fall. Having been free, for over 30 years, of the ravages of cancer, and having defined a path, a mission, a way of BEING, that holds to faith, health and creativity, it was felt that my story would be a source of inspiration. I decided that the "tale" would be expressed in the poetic dialogues I had with SELF... a journey marked with question, with wonder, with tears of joy, with a dauntless faith that awakens all that is LIFE. So here for you to consider: APOGEE Poet: Passion, Plea, and the Poet's Pen ~ Cancer No More... a thirty year path of renewed well being through the art of expression ~ Phoenix Rising. 

We are ever in deliverance. The prizes and treasures we gather, the disappointments and pain we endure, define our deliverance onto SELF. The SELF as Spirit, as Eternity, as Love, as Freedom, offered as poetic encounters, a thirty year journey to wellness. And so these echoes of heart, the deliverance onto SELF... the Phoenix Rising.

When I first heard  "The Greatest Love of All," a song written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed, it was at the time I was ravaged by the clutches of cancer. The words validated for me what was silently within my very soul. With deep faith and conviction, I chose to fully live the words, and since 1983 have been cancer free and have not wavered from the message that allowed me to once again soar with the fullness of life. And so my life's work continues to unfold... as the  Greatest Love Of All ...

And so...I proclaimed...

Bequeath Your Presence

Within this soul 

love's call though silent 

resounds with longing 

Within this heart 

love's call though silent 

echoes a lament 

Within this stillness

 the resounding of what once was 

Within the emptiness

 the fullness of despair 

Are these the sensibilities absent of God's care

Ravage not this body and spirit 

Ravage not this faith and trust 

Bequeath Your Presence 

Cancer no more.

And so a BARD I BE...

Yes, I a BARD of modern day calling

to convey the glory of Being

to live the majesty of Aspiration

to know the wondrous in Revelation

in all moments present

in Gratitude.

The deepest of introspection, the willingness to unveil, unmask... no more pretense, a  SELF in revelation.

As one commits to a purpose to a path ... questions are raised... and I ask...

Who

Who heeds the words of this poet
Who listens to these echoes of heart
Who feels the yearnings and the fire
Who sees the vision held clear

Is it the wind that whispers its own song
Is it the sun that warms and nourishes
Is it the moon that sheds its light
Is it the star that guides our way
Is it the stranger who extends a hand
Is it the child who gives a knowing smile
Is it the soul in its moment of call
Is it God in all present grace

Who heeds the words of this poet
Who listens to these echoes of heart
Who feels the yearnings and the fire
Who sees the vision held clear.

So too, is asked ...

What Be this Poet's Plea

What be this poet's plea
But to honor God's gifts
Be they of land, sky, ocean or sea
To know that All and One are given in grace
And in gratitude be our care, our loving embrace
Stars and galaxies, vistas of splendor and glory
Within the secrets, the miracles of Creation's story
Stardust in waves of time and space
From which our spirit we to trace
Light beholden within our heart
From where love has its primal start
Known be the fire of the Creator's flame
And we the Presence of All so named
Words to hold to the knowing of heart and soul
Reverent be our gratitude, our calling toll
And what be this poet's plea
But to honor God's gifts
Be they of land, sky, ocean or sea.

And what BE Woman but one ...

Holding to the Wonder

Aware of the Omnipresent

Feeling the Marvel

Living the Aspiration

Fulfilling Need

Words to define what it is to be a woman
Come from the special meaning of who we are
With grace we receive and provide the ultimate giving
With love we nurture
With question we pursue
With pain we give birth and revel in its miracle
With persistence we provide
We are blessed to be
The receiver and giver of life.

Guide books on self development, meditative practices, all to bring SELF to appraise... to this I respond...

Appraise

Appraise well this treasure of time
The endowment of days made mine
Pearls of wisdom shall there be
Golden moments of alchemy
Gems of gratitude a collection fair
Blessings priceless coins of care
Appraise well this treasure of time
Measures weighed upon a life line.

And to those disciplines that speak of the I AM... 

I AM

I AM the ALL of ALL
the breath of BEING
the inhalation the exhalation
the rippling waters of the stream
the cresting wave of the ocean
the rising and setting sun
the ebb and flow of the tides
the seed the flower in bloom
the passion the rapture all sensibilities
I AM WOMAN
ever in receipt ever in giving.

The words, the visions, the impressions we hold in mind, in body, in heart, ever resound. It is our choice to affirm, negate, validate, invalidate, accept, deny, each of these callings. Yes, reveal... 

Unfold...

Reflections, aspirations, expressions and desire
Words speak of life, passion, flame and fire
A gift of life now ever to be known
By the words of heart you have shown
And others may now be freed to reveal
What in their hearts they yet conceal
Many a story there is to be told
From days past a page to unfold.

Pages read, books completed, and the question, the quest, YOURSELF... The letters reveal the query...

what Yearnings have you answered
what Oneness do you seek
what Unity have you lived
what Revelations have you welcomed
what Spirit makes itself known
what Eternal quest calls to your heart
what Love have you embraced
what Freedom do you live...

Another has proclaimed...

While with an eye made quiet by the power
Of harmony, and the deep power of joy,
We see into the life of things.
William Wordsworth (7 April 1770 – 23 April 1850) was a major English Romantic poet
COMPOSED A FEW MILES ABOVE TINTERN ABBEY, ON REVISITING THE BANKS OF THE WYE DURING A TOUR. JULY 13, 1798

As I read these words of William Wordsworth, the depths of poetry were revealed, the mission of my life's work as a sound therapist, and my passion for poetic expression, became ONE. HARMONY be the questing state of BEING. This the APOGEE Paradigm, defined when I was but seven years of age as my calling, my destiny. The poet, the educator, the artist, the advocate, the activist, the exploration, the discovery, the receiving, the giving, the offerings... each and all to bring... 

HARMONY...

Be they of...

Heart
Aspiration
Revelation
Manifestation
Omnipresence
Need
Yielding ... to the light, the grace, the resounding pulse of Life itself.

Words upon a page, posted on the web... ah, yes...

The Echoing Word

'tis the joy of expression to share
met by hearts that feel the mission of care
a word, a thought, a moment's knowing wise
the daunting shall meet its delivered demise
our heart's calling calling be it ever heard
may LOVE ~ LOVE be the echoing word.

Yet, heard be the doubts and fears...

Alchemy to Ring

Man in freedom so born is he
Yet shackled he sets himself to be

Oppression dark upon heart yet be lain
The echoes of emotion still held profane
The mind to silence daunting echoes of time past
And free the self from binding chains cast
Memory called to free mind, heart and soul
Alchemy to ring its welcomed toll.

Self-help, the law of attraction, exercise, meditation, body work, yoga... all  to bring wellness and light... Robert Schuman, Composer, 1810-1856, wrote:  "To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist."

Light Beholden

Stars and galaxies, vistas of splendor and glory
Within the secrets, the miracles of Creation's story
Stardust in waves of time and space
From which our spirit we to trace
Light beholden within our heart
From where love has its primal start
Known be the fire of the Creator's flame
And we the Presence of All so named.

And as the beauty be perceived, the cacophony, the noise, the clamor of the news,  yet resounds... How does one reconcile the discord... the question beckons the answer... 

I, In FAITH

Conspiracy, corruption and travail
Beyond aberration THE WORD to prevail
Just as the night pursues the light of day
So too, ever present be the path, THE WAY
Illusions cast as truths to be revealed
THE WORD to cast light on deceptions concealed
And known to us be our soul's desire
The PHOENIX to rise from passion's fire
From the depths of our knowing heart
TRUTH, LOVE, PEACE, MERCY, BEAUTY, shan't depart
This I in FAITH claim to be true
This the GRACE OF GOD on to You.

We may well be besieged by a ... Thunderous sounding... a lightning... an awakening... 

Thunderous Sounding

what be this awakening sweet
where grace and intention meet
what be this thunderous sounding in heart
where all that is has its knowing start
what be this soaring of spirit and soul
where vision is one with heart and goal
this be the Self, the TRUTH to embrace
where all that is blessed in knowing I place
where judgment, reprisal, illusion and demise
be cast aside by Spirit, an awareness wise
beyond the drama and lies yet heard
is the beloved glory of the divine WORD
joyful gratitude to fill my days
so be the embodiment of SELF in PRAISE.

In embrace  of liberation... in the majestic moments of meditation ... 

The Wind and The Willow...

The Wind
all pervading
free
one with all direction
The Willow
rooted ever in search
branch and leaf so humbly bend
holding to the wind
the light
and the unseen Presence
Wind and Willow, so I am
thought, mind and spirit
all pervading
free
one with all direction
holding to the unseen Presence.

Your ARRIVAL is welcomed...

An Arrival

an arrival
from storming moments
from pain beyond understanding
from deception and false realities
from the daunting echoes of oppression

an arrival
from the din of judgments
from the cacophony of opinions
from haunting doubts and fears
from care coupled with resentment

an arrival
to the blooms of Summer
to the colors of Fall
to the surrender of Winter
to the delights of Spring

an arrival
to the majesty of the heavens
to the divinity of the moon and stars
to the splendor of the dawning day
to the light behind the storm

an arrival
to the wonders of BEING
to the exploration of cause
to the power of intent
to the resolves of time

an arrival
to the embrace of SELF
to the WORD known
to the gifts of CREATION
to the SOUL revealed.

We are the WEAVERS... Threads of Time...

we gave a cry and all rejoiced for this our birth complete
we are our first steps greeted with open arms
our first word that brought an admiring smile...

Threads of Time

trace the years and their memories await anew
a montage, a kaleidoscope, of one's life view
sounds, impressions, of place time and moments sweet
where our dreams and our days come to meet
praise, punishment, joy and pain come to define
a life known as rightly yours, a life lived as mine
and what brings reason to pause this very day
but the wondrous Creation given by Life along its way
a sculpture unveiled and all in AWE and PRAISE
for what each has brought to their ennobled days
and then a painting, a poem, an endearing embrace
upon a time line of memories now they to place
decades of moons have brought mystery and delight
magical be this waxing and waning of Creation's light
and so this heart, this soul, in time's grasp and claim
be held in the spirit and glory of our Creator's name
be it of yesterdays or days yet, and dreams enfold
each new gaze, a breath, a sigh, be this our story told
with threads of time Life's cloak we weave
let it BE the warp and weft of Divinity conceived.

And there may well be many a tangled thread, webs of thought, restlessness..

The Mask

What be this restlessness I feel

These impressions but illusions real

See behind the mask beyond the veil

See the denied pain that is yet to prevail

The masquerade and pretense held to conceal

The SELF that TRUTH alone is to reveal

Reveal, I hear this night command
Cloak not the quiver of shadow close at hand
Remove pretense and the mask donned to conceal
The TRUTH, the deep knowing, this knowing real
Confront and resolve, the petition summons a call
Beyond all consideration, TRUTH to lay bear ALL
To the plea of this petition I to heed
And TRUTH, 'tis ever the rightful creed.

We need strength and renewed faith to Give Way...

Give Way

webs of thought, echoes of time sound
the din of shocked sensibilities
what was, now is once more
hush, hush be the cry, the plea
free what is trapped deep within me
shed these shackles of shadow and despair
heed the cry for resolve and Creation's care
listen, listen, and there shall be heard
the search, the want of the guiding WORD
let there be a command of self whole and true
let the bonds of torment give way to light ever new.

We need listen... deeply listen... Wisdom of All be known...

Wisdom of All

Oh how the mind conceives the thought
With restlessness your heart is wrought
For there is a just and kingly goal
Distant yet touching your crying soul
Be burdened not by task and deed
Lest you be lost to the greater creed
Inspired by self and the knowing within
Shall you pass the haunt, the doom of the din
Listen dear child to thy self sovereign and wise
Heed not to temptation, deception and lies
For it is the tear of joy that you shall weep
When the Promise you vow, you do keep
And when you reach and court the dream
With God's love stand thou supreme
Deception takes not your abiding soul
You have reached a kingly goal
As many may doubt and may berate
You shall prevail for love is thy fate
Guide the children, know their call
With God's tender love and wisdom of all.

So be these offerings, given in Celebration of SELF...  the SELF  of you, and you and you and you... as the Poet's Tidings...

The Poet's Tidings

Moments of memory, treasure be mine

The troves, the garlands, the gems of time

Each hour, each day, each year now past

A journey, a questing, a destiny cast

Awaken awaken to the vision yet held

Destiny and purpose in glory meld

The sounding heart with yearning real

Reverie and passion beyond conceal

The Muse calls to sound its claim

Beauty and Truth the poet to name

A blessed grace be it known, be it heard

'Tis the poet's tidings in heartfelt word.

In closing...

"The work of art must seize upon you, wrap you up in itself and carry you away. It is the means by which the artist conveys his passion. It is the current which he puts forth, which sweeps you along in his passion. The pain passes, the beauty remains." Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Thank you in this spirit of TRUTH and BEAUTY.

Phoenix Rising, Watercolor, ©Rose Marie Raccioppi, 2013.

An Opening Anew...

This day, September 26, 2018 ... 

Fires of SOUL... the Phoenix of BEING... Cancer No More...

A received call. a posted message, a song heard, words in revelation, praise shared, a visit, and the knowing in this moment ...

Fires of SOUL...

Awakened to the fires of soul

The vision, the quest, the fulfilled goal

The passion of SELF in this moment NOW

The unfolding, the sounding, the expressive vow

Within this pulsing heart of mine

Feel I the blessed, the supernal divine

A life onto me in union conceived

In each breath of BEING a gift perceived

And so this the eternal moment real

The splendor of SELF ne'er conceal

And I in grace and gratitude sublime

Savor the spirit, the SOUL mine.

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York